Alan Pardew has been named Nationwide League Manager of the Month for January.

Pardew has guided Reading to a perfect record of six wins out of six with no goals conceded during the month.

It is the third time he has received the honour since taking over the reins, having won the award in September 2000 and again in November 2001.

There is talk of a Manager of the Month curse with the team picking up the award promptly losing, but Pardew pays no attention to that.

He said: "Never more so has this one been a team reward. It hasn't been me that has kept all those clean sheets.

"We've worked really hard - the staff, in particular Niall Clark the sports scientist, and Kevin Dillon and long may it continue. I don't believe in jinxes.

"It is often highlighted that teams have lost after getting the award but that's simply because they are nearly always on a good run and that has to come to an end some time."

After Pardew first won the award Reading drew 1-1 draw at Wigan, while this season's honour was immediately followed by a 1-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield.

READING'S match away to Brighton has been brought forward 24 hours to Monday February 11 (7.45pm).

The switch is due to Royals' trip to arch-rivals Swindon now being played on Thursday February 14 due to ITV Digital's decision to screen it live.

Pardew said: "A Monday game is of no disadvantage to us nor Brighton as we both have games the previous Saturday.

"What is a problem is having a local derby against Swindon live on the telly on a Thursday. A lot of our fans have complained and we have certainly made our complaints very strongly. It's inconvenient for fans, but I hope they come to Swindon in numbers and really get behind us."